President Donald Trump was joined by ESPN personality Pat McAfee at the finals of the 2026 Patriot Games in Ohio on Tuesday evening. McAfee greeted Air Force One upon its landing in the Midwest, sporting jeans, a T-shirt, sneakers, and a backwards baseball cap.
The Patriot Games, a national youth athletic competition held at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio, brings together teenage athletes aged 14 to 17 from across the United States and its territories. The event is part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration and aims to honor the competitive spirit of American youth. The competition offers a scholarship prize pool of $250,000, intended to create opportunities for young Americans. Trump's attendance was described by the White House as a celebration of American independence and an honoring of youth excellence.
McAfee, a former NFL punter and current host and personality, sat next to Trump during the event. When the crowd offered chants of "We love you, Mr. President," McAfee applauded. The pairing drew attention given McAfee's role at ESPN, a network not typically associated with conservative political leanings, and the potential for internal reaction. McAfee has previously hosted Trump on his show and defended the decision at the time.